NJ visit

The last hugs from Francis, Yere, and Ramonita. It was sad but still exciting. His family is happy for Enmanuel and his new opportunity. Yere, his daughter, doesn´t quite understand what going to Nueva York means. She wasn´t nearly as sad as she should have been.





We arrived in one piece and with all our luggage still filled with all the crazy cheeses, avocados, and sweets Ramonita send over to her family. (I was sure they´d all get swiped in immigration)



Enmanuel loved it all. The plane ride, the sites, the beautiful lights, the paved and organized roads. Isn´t America wonderful! But very Chilly! We toughed it out for a bit, but then we had to go back inside the airport to wait for our ride.



Welcome to NJ Enmanuel. His aunt Sandra and uncle Williams came to rescue us from the airport. We arrived at their apartment and shortly after arrived all the visitas. Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and friends. Grandma Carlilin is always there for a huge, loving, welcome hug.

Downtown Paterson. A day of window shopping.

Our first, but not last, Broadway Musical. Merry Poppins. It was worth every cent.

A typical Sunday afternoon with the Duran´s in NJ. Everybody gets together at Enmanuel´s Uncle´s house and dance, play, chat, listen to music, and run around. His family is very Unido.

2nd National IT youth conference

First place winners for the Movie Maker Video Contest.

Hurry. Find a boat of 4. Sorry Lori, you´re out of the game.

How to manage their labs. Who will make the most funds?

Our local super heroes. Aqua Man- cleaning the water and talking to the fish. Super Belleza- turns everything she touches into somthing of beauty. Helmet Man- Protecting people from falling objects, etc.

Isn´t Photoshop Fun!

Birdie in a Perch. Avita Ramita.

Second National Encargados del Futuro conference put on by us Peace Corps Volunteers was yet again a success. I would say an even bigger success. The tech classes were interesting for the youth, and the games blew their minds. I rocked out all the dínamicas (icebreakers) I could think of . There was hardly ever a dull moment.

The youth learned about Robots, Photoshop, Lab management, Publisher, Excel, and had a great time being creative in the digital scavenger hunt, talent show, and their home videos made with Movie Maker (way impressive). Check out the video my youth put togther for Las Uvas. They won 2nd place for all their techi tricks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e69bx44aR84



We finished the 3 day conference with certificates, prizes, and a surprise 1gb flash drive for each youth. They were ecstatic.

Another special visit

Face off. The best in Las Uvas vs. the best in Fargo. Chess, connect four, and ping pong. Who won? Let's just say Enmanuel has some practicing to do before he heads up to Fargo. We'll have a rematch.

It was just like Alice in Wonderland. Why is everything so big? No, Dave and Enmanuel didn't shrink if that is what you were thinking, but it was like we were warped into another world. Just beyond a few giant concrete walls was paradise, a place most inlanders never catch a glimpse of, a place known as Playa Dorada. The games were giant size, the drinks were free (well, prepaid for), the pools were clean and beautiful, and the people were mostly white. Were we really in the DR?


Of course, Ramonita's cooking was a hit, again, with the new visita.


Why rent a car when you can have great carro publico photos like these!



Free but very expensive prepaid for drinks.


The hippest Merengue, Bachata, and Salsa discoteca in Santo Domingo. Everyone was out on the dance floor that night.



Practicing the Dominican Lifestyle.



We saved the best for last. 27 charcos. Wow, what an experience. It was an absolutely beautiful, breath taking (meaning exhausting), hike up the mountains and into the waterfalls of Imbert. Note our helmets and life jackets- yeah, they were a necessity for this rough and tough adventure. Our well trained guide pulled us up waterfall after waterfall. He was one strong man. By the time we got to the twelfth waterfall, my legs were frozen and my knees were shaking. We then turned around and had options of sliding (if slideable) or jumping down the 12 waterfalls. However, after Enmanuel made his first jump of his life (take a look at the video below) and forgot to plug his nose and swallowed a gallon of water, he managed to find a way to monkey down the side of the rest of the falls.



All made it back to their homes alive that evening, but we were exhausted and I had a very sore tailbone from jumping off a very high cliff and doing a butt flop. Now, a month later and I still can't sit right.